How To Clean Unfinished Wood

Leaving wood unfinished for long periods can result in a lot of dust and other debris accumulating on the surface. Cleaning unfinished wood is important to maintain the appearance and to prevent deterioration.

To clean unfinished wood, you should remove all dust and debris, remove stains with mineral spirits, and cover wood with oil or other finishers. This article will teach you how to clean unfinished wood furniture, wooden floors, or unfinished wood furniture with ease.

Why Should You Clean Unfinished Wood?

Wood, including unfinished wood, is a natural product with unique properties. Unlike finished wood, which is produced by applying a finish on every surface, unfinished wood is made by chopping logs into different sizes and then stacking them up to dry.

Unfinished wood retains the basic structure of the log and may require special maintenance. A lot of dust and other dirt may settle on the surface of unfinished wood furniture as it accumulates over time.

This can cause discoloration of the wood, resulting in chipping or cracking. Moreover, dust accumulation can also warp, split or crack wooden surfaces that are not appropriately sealed before drying. That is why cleaning unfinished wood is necessary to keep it treated.

4 Steps To Clean Unfinished Wood

There are four common steps to maintain your unfinished wood furniture:

Remove Dust And Debris

Dust and debris will usually settle on the surface of your unfinished wood furniture due to the structure of its rough surface. It is important that you remove all the dirt and dust off your unfinished wood furniture. You can do so by using a vacuum cleaner or gently brushing off the surface using soft fabric or cotton cloth.

Apply Mineral Spirits Or Kerosene For Deep Cleaning

For deeper cleaning, you can use mineral spirits or kerosene as they are both safe to use on unfinished wood furniture as long as they are not soaked into it for too long.

You can apply it onto the wood furniture’s surface and wipe off the excess with a soft cloth. However, you should avoid using mineral spirits or kerosene directly on the wood furniture since this may cause damage to its finish.

Use Rubber Sponge To Scrub Wooden Surface

You can also use a soft rubber sponge to scrub the surface of your unfinished wood furniture or wooden floors, which may be covered by dust and debris collected over time. Place the sponge onto the wood surface, rub in circular motions and then wipe off using a soft cloth to ensure that all dirt is removed from the surface.

Apply Some Oil Or Wood Finish To Restore Shine

After a thorough cleaning, you can also apply oil or wood finish to restore the shine on your wooden surfaces. You can use an oil emulsion to provide light protection without any residue. 

How To Clean Unfinished Wood Furniture

You can use a vacuum cleaner or soft cotton cloth to clean your unfinished wood furniture. Wiping it with a damp cloth and then drying it with a dry cloth can help remove dust and dirt from the surface. You should also apply oil or any other finish that will protect your wooden furniture’s surface.

How To Clean Unfinished Wood Floors?

If you want to clean your unfinished wood floors, you may need to use unique cleaning supplies that will enable you to remove all dirt and dust from its surface. You can use mild detergent, water with a little bit of bleach, or a commercial floor cleaner. All of the cleaning materials are safe to use on unfinished wood floors.

You should not use any type of abrasive chemicals and water on your unfinished wood flooring as this may cause discoloration on its surface. Instead, you should try to remove all dirt and debris on the floor. You can do so by using a vacuum cleaner or simply sweeping the dirt and dust off the surface with a soft cloth without harming the finish of your flooring.

The Bottom Line

To help maintain the excellent appearance of your unfinished wood furniture and wooden floors, you should perform dust removal, apply oil or any other finish to protect the surface from damage. Moreover, you can use a vacuum cleaner to remove all dirt and dirt from your unfinished wood furniture.

Applying mineral spirits or kerosene, as well as using a soft rubber sponge, will allow you to deep clean your unfinished wood surfaces as well as scrub them with water. However, you should avoid oiling or finishing it directly on the wooden surfaces unless it is sealed properly beforehand. I hope this article gave you vast information about how to clean unfinished wood with ease.

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